Maguindanao PNP carnage and PNoy weak leadership

Advocate’s Overview:

February 1, 2015 

By ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW
www.nordis.net 

Cordillera folk, from various walks of life, condemn the carnage of 44 elite forces of the Philippine National Police in Maguindanao on Saturday, January 24. At least 13 from the victims came from the Cordillera region while two were reportedly injured as per news report.

The Magunidanao carnage of the PNP Special Action Force manifested the weak leadership of Pres. Noynoy Aquino. And it fueled the call from various sectors for an impartial investigation of the incident and to work for the attainment of justice for the carnage victims, who despite doing their legitimate job, were actually used for the interests of Pnoy and his top officials.

PO1 Russel B. Bilog /Photo by: Ana Mae Sabelo

Young, brave and obediently following orders from their higher ups, they were in Maguindanao with a mission to arrest two top ranking members of the terrorists Jemayah Islamiyah: Zulhifil Bin Hir alias Marwa and Basit Usma, who carried a bounty of US$ 5 million and $2 million respectively.

The reasons why we should condemn PNoy and his administration for the Maguindanao carnage are:
First, it showed that Pnoy and the state securities under his command as Commander in Chief failed to lend support to the PNP SAF at the time they needed it most. The claims for no coordination and mis-encounter further showed his weakness at decision making. It must be remembered that the “battle” between the PNP SAF and the MILF/BIFF happened on the night of Saturday until the morning of Sunday. Yet there was no reinforcement move from the state security agencies, despite Pnoy’s knowledge that there was the move to arrest the said targets in Maguindanao. These young members of the PNP elite forces died without concern of support for reinforcement from their Commander in Chief.

Second, I wonder why the information on their mission was not known by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and the AFP Chief of Staff. Even for the sake of security, is it not proper for the other security agencies to have the knowledge on the said mission? But it seems that the bounty of 6 million US dollars was more important. Those who were directly knowledgeable and in command of the said elite forces were only concerned and after that million dollar bounty; they wanted to keep the bounty for themselves, hence they did not like anybody to be aware of their mission, even for reinforcement if they were put in a dangerous situation. While they sacrificed their lives in their noble service, that sacrifice was tainted by the whims and caprices of the higher ups – greed. And, there is already confirmation through DNA at Marwa was already dead (courtesy of the US troops who intervened in that operation as the seen presence of their helicopter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao). Maybe they will be happy with the bounty but look at the number of victims.

Third, there arises a question as to the delineation of roles of the PNP and the AFP. While it seems true that the state security agencies are also concerned with protecting the public against terrorism, Mindanao is an area where there is a conflict (regardless of the peace talks) between the MILF and its “allies” with the Philippine government. In this kind of situation, it is the AFP who should be responsible for the security tasks in the area. The police force is not intended for war against those engaged with armed conflict with the government, which is more of an AFP task. We wonder why these policemen were sacrificed then.

Lastly, I tried to understand that just war is waged for just aspirations. But I cannot stomach the after effect of the PNP SAF and MILF/BIFF “armed encounter.” I believed there were violations in the conduct of war committed by the MILF/BIFF forces against the PNP SAF. The videos and stories proved that the dead PNP SAF were desecrated. And their personal belongings were robbed, compounded by the statements of the ambushers (and their wives) which rubbed salt on the injury inflicted upon the victims’ families. It is a challenge to the MILF to prove that they upheld international humanitarian law by conducting investigations on its own ranks and punished those who committed breaches of these international laws. No armed group (a revolutionary for that matter) could be exempted from the rules of war. The MILF should respect this process.

But the PNoy administration must have more to prove and explain on the situation. Else, his acts – in relation with the Maguindanao carnage – as the highest officer of the land and commander in chief are impeachable offenses.

While we urge for an impartial investigation and justice for the victims of the Maguindanao carnage, I join the Cordillerans and Filipinos in extending condolences to these 44 brave warriors, specifically to the following Cordillerans who perished in the carnage:

1. PO1 Russel Bilog of Sagada, Mountain Province and Tabuk City, Kalinga
2. PO3 Noel Golocan of Sagada, Mountain Province and Mankayan, Benguet
3. PO2 Nobel Kiangan of Mankayan, Benguet
4. PO1 Angel Kodiamat of Bontoc, Mountain Province
5. PO2 Jerry Kayob of Balili, La Trinidad
6. PO2 Walter Danao of Irisan, Baguio City
7. PO1 Gringo Cayang-o of Bontoc, Mountain Province
8. PO2 Peterson Carap of Kabayan, Benguet
9. PO2 Joel Dulnuan of Kiangan, Ifugao
10. PO3 Robert Allaga of Banaue, Ifugao
11. PO2 Franklin Danao of Tinoc, Ifugao
12. PSI Gednat Tabde of La Trinidad, Benguet
13. PSI Cyrus Anniban of Balbalan, Kalinga.

I also hope for the immediate recovery from injury by Cordillerans police officers Christopher Lalan and Clifford Agayyong. # nordis.net